Career, Life Skills, & College Prep

Access live tutoring, writing support, study tools, and more for students of all ages. Includes college readiness, flashcards, career exploration, and collaborative study tools. Start learning today!

Get live help 7 days a week, 24 hours a day with a variety of subjects for K-12 students and adults. Create a personal account to track your progress, do group work, and share documents for writing reviews.

• Tutoring Topics
  • K-12 and College Academic Subjects
  • FAFSA Prep
  • Writing Lab
  • Skill building in a variety of topics: K-12 subjects, AP test prep, College,, Computers & Technology, Teacher License Exams, English Language Learning, Research & Presentation, Adult Learning, Parent Corner, El rincón de los padres, Life Skills, and Using AI Ethically and Effectively
  • Language Lab
  • Featured Services like AI Academic Integrity tutors, Live Chess tutors, and Live FAFSA help.
  • Exam and practice tests for: AP, GED, HiSET, PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, TOEIC, CLEP, THEA, TEAS, HESI, Praxis, NES, TABE, U.S. Citizenship, ASVAB

Use CultureGrams to find printable maps and information on the peoples and cultures of over 185 countries, all 50 states in the U.S., and the provinces and territories of Canada. Includes a Kids Edition and Education Coursepack with teaching activities, scavenger hunts, handouts, and more.

Review industry intelligence reports that can be consumed very quickly to better understand a prospect’s or client’s business issues. Published by Hoover's Inc.

Learn how to start, finance, or manage your small business. Includes sample business plans, how-to guides, articles, and more. Find full-text insights, tips and strategies for students and entrepreneurs.

Do a career interest assessment, research industries and careers, plan your education, get expert advice, and launch your career. Explore 140 industries and thousands of careers to find your best fit. Tools available include: searches for internships, apprenticeships, and jobs; sample resumes and cover letters; and career Q&A interviews.

Learn to code. Build websites, apps, video games, animations and more through this self-guided software program full of coding tutorials and real-world projects. Programming languages include HTML, CSS, Javascript, Python, Scratch, and SQL.

Review company profiles, brand information, rankings, investment reports (including Plunkett Reports and MarketLine Industry Profiles), company histories, chronologies, and company & industry news from periodicals.

Find magazine articles, news, multimedia presentations and more on a wide variety of subjects (literature, science, history, and social issues) relevant to high school learning goals. Teachers and parents may find the Curriculum Standards and Educator Resources helpful.

Learn the basics of living in today’s world, including dealing with bullies, budgeting, setting up a home, working, being a savvy consumer, and more. Topics are appropriate for young adults and children with parental guidance.

Learn the skills you need through on-demand instructional video courses in education, technology, business, and creative fields. You can even use it to prepare for Microsoft credential exams! To get started, log in with your library card number and PIN; you are not required to have an existing LinkedIn profile.

This is separate from a personal LinkedIn Learning account. Please visit their FAQ for library patrons for details about data privacy, continued education units, and more.

This resource requires a personal email address for full access.

Funded by the Washington State Library. Create a learner account to test your computer skills and build your understanding through self-paced, online learning. Includes technology tutorials and skills assessments.

Test your knowledge

Northstar has tests to help you see how much you already know about:

• Basic Computer Skills
• Internet Basics
• Using Email
• Windows 10 and 11
• macOS
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Google Docs
• Social Media
• Information Literacy
• Career Search Skills
• Your Digital Footprint
• Supporting K-12 Distance Learning
• Accessing Telehealth Appointments
• Cybersecurity Basics

*You can learn more about these topics through Northstar's self-paced learning modules.

If you would like to earn a certificate for a test that you've passed in your learner account, there are sites that proctor Northstar assessments. Check the map for locations offering assessment certificates, marked with orange pins.

This resource requires a personal email address for full access.

Prepare for standardized tests with eBooks, online courses, and full-length practice tests for GED, SAT, ACT, AP, PSAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, TOEFL, U.S. citizenship, and more. Research undergraduate and graduate programs, find tuition assistance, and explore and prepare for careers. Create visually interesting résumés, cover letters, and websites that can be shared with prospective employers, using prebuilt templates.

Find U.S. white pages and yellow pages, as well as research demographic details, business competitor maps, and heat maps for U.S. and Canadian businesses. Get the most out of Reference Solutions by visiting their Learning Center.

Find foundational encyclopedia articles and multimedia on a variety of subjects, science fair projects, biographies, correlations to curriculum standards, 21st century research guides, and much more for high school students, reluctant readers, ELL, ESL, and adult literacy students.  

• Learn how to do research.

Check out the Life Skills Center to learn how to enter the work force, keep a bank account, or set up your first place.